The ICC Women's World Cup is around the horizon, as India will host the eight-team tournament from September 30 to November 2.
Pakistan women will participate in their sixth World Cup, led by Fatima Sana, who is also participating in her second World Cup campaign.
In the round-robin format, they would look to exceed the rather low expectations from them, having qualified for the tournament through the qualifying rounds.
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As they gear up for an all-important event, captain Sana has spoken about the inspiration she takes from the legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni and hopes to replicate his style of leadership.
I take inspiration from MS Dhoni as a captain: Fatima Sana ahead of the World Cup
During her conversation with PTI, she reflected upon the grandeur of the occasion, where Pakistan has previously only won 3 of their 30 matches.
Boasting of a captaincy record of 5 wins in 7 ODIs, Sana spoke about Dhoni's calmness on the field, which helped him lift the three ICC titles with India and five IPLs with the Chennai Super Kings and wishes to take a leaf out of his book.
"It is natural to be a little nervous initially when captaining in a big tournament like the World Cup, but I take inspiration from Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a captain," said Sana in an interview.
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"I have seen his matches as India and CSK captain,” she continued. “His on-field decision-making, calmness and the way he backs his players, there is a lot to learn from that. When I got the captaincy, I thought that I have to become like Dhoni. I also watched his interviews and got to learn a lot," she added.
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The 24-year-old bowling all-rounder has represented Pakistan in 46 WODIs and taken 63 wickets, with 3 fours and a five-fer to her name. In WT20Is, she has taken 41 wickets in 49 matches.
Pakistan opens their World Cup campaign on October 2 against Bangladesh in R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
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In the lead up to the competition, they will face South Africa in a three-match ODI series, followed by two warm-up matches.